CVRC History
Cherwell Valley Riding Club began sometime before 13th December 1971, when the first minutes were recorded.
The club began when a group of juniors and adults were having instruction sessions at Ivy House Farm, West Farndon. At that time, there were eight adult members and seven junior members. Club rides were also a feature. The first Open Show was held at Woodford Halse on 17th June 1972 with several gymkhana classes, handy hunter and dressage. Entry fees were 50p per class. On July 1st 1972, there was an inspection by Mr. Scott of the B.H.S. Riding Club Committee following the application to become an Affiliated Club. Although not mentioned in the minutes, the Club’s application seems to have been approved at the end of October 1972. At this time, there were eighteen adult members. The founder members of the Club were Christine and David Dodwell, (Instructors), Dr. Sheldon (Chairman), Angela Wadland (Treasurer), Mrs Leroy Hope Douglas (Secretary) and Mrs. Sheldon.
The first Club Hunter Trial Rally was on 5th January 1974 at Dennis Henson’s farm at Preston Capes, shortly after he had been elected to the Committee. Dressage competition has always been featured as a Club activity but began to attract large numbers in 1974. However, it was still, then, strictly members only. It was also about this time that, because of the pressure on the instructors, the membership list was closed and a waiting list maintained. Members who had not paid their membership were automatically removed from the list. This must have been relaxed at some point because the minutes of the Annual General meeting held on 15th October 1975 declared a membership of about one hundred.
The Club purchased a set of showjumps in 1974, some of which are still in use today and can be spotted at the Open Show. Rowena Haigh was elected to the committee in 1973 and served until fairly recently. She still takes a very active role for the Club in the scoring tent at our Dressage and Cross Country events and also acts as Entry Secretary at the Open Show.At the A.G.M. in 1979, Mrs. Dodwell reminded the members that the Club had originally been formed in order to provide instruction to riders who wished to improve their riding and their horses and that no other club in the B.H.S. provided regular instruction. All these years later, it is still a principal that Cherwell Valley Riding Club aspires to.
David Dodwell resigned as Chairman in 1980 and from the Committee in 1984. Christine and David Dodwell still provide instruction in both English and Western style riding and David Dodwell is the author of 'The Horse Morse Code' (available on Amazon). This is a clear and simple method of the Classical Riding System that can be applied from Pony Club to International levels.